Rev. Don Campbell
Matthew 23, Luke 20-21
THOUGHT FOR TODAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2019
“FROM THE CHAIR”
In much of Christendom only certain people, holding certain academic degrees, and having been ordained by an official of the denomination are allowed to perform the work of the ministry. Other functions are reserved for the higher clergy, such as bishops or above speak ex-cathedra or “with the full authority of office.”
The scribes and Pharisees spoke ex-cathedra, and Jesus warned: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matthew 23:2-3). Jesus was not teaching unqualified submission to the scribes and Pharisees, for he said of them that they were hypocrites who honored God with their lips, but their heart was far from him (Matthew 15:1-6). Scribes were originally writers or copyists of the law. By the time of Christ, they were the “doctors” of the law and interpreters of the Scriptures.
We may shun the very idea of a special clergy with its trappings (robes, titles, ordination ceremonies, etc.), but we may not be free of the sins of the scribes and Pharisees. Are there no “scribes” among us who love to be honored above their brothers? Are there no “scribes” among us who bind heavy burdens of legalism? Are there no “scribes” among us who speak ex-cathedra—that is with certitude that they are right and cannot be wrong because they have mastered the arts of logic and of hermeneutics (interpretation)?
It is one thing to reject the trappings of the clergy-laity system, it is quite another to reject the spirit of clericalism. Paul told Timothy to correctly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). We will look at four critical truths regarding accurately handling God’s word.
First, it is easier to preach than to practice what one preaches (Matthew 23:3).
Second, it is easier to practice law than love—they tie heavy burdens, which they won’t touch with their finger (Matthew 23:4).
Third, it is easier to display religion than to demonstrate righteousness (Matthew 23:6). Jesus warned in the Sermon on the Mount: “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 6:1).
Fourth, it is easier to lord than to lead: “Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. And they love to sit at the head table at banquets and in the seats of honor in the synagogues. They love to receive respectful greetings as they walk in the marketplaces, and to be called ‘Rabbi.’ Don’t let anyone call you ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one teacher, and all of you are equal as brothers and sisters. And don’t address anyone here on earth as ‘Father,’ for only God in heaven is your Father. And don’t let anyone call you ‘Teacher,’ for you have only one teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be a servant. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Matthew 23:5-12, NLT).
CONNECTIONS
1. The story is told of some college students who were debating with one of their professors. In seeking ammunition against him, they went to another professor in an attempt to pit “degree” against “degree.” His response was “My Ph.D. is not in that discipline and therefore on this subject, it stands for post-hole digger.” Probably either a preacher story or a professor-story, but it illustrates a point. What is that point?
2. Some Christians set up the King James Version of the Bible as the only one that is authoritative. One well-known preacher often stressed that it was “The Authorized Version,” implying by other statements he made that it was authorized by God. It was authorized by the King of England. Regardless of the merits of any translation, who has the authority to bind a translation on believers?
